HUMBOLDT Conor Haviland rushed for 221 yards and accounted for all three Humboldt scores (two rushing and one passing touchdown), but it took a defensive stand on the games final possession to propel the Cubs to a 20-14 homecoming win over Riverton on Friday night.
The Cubs (6-0) took a 20-0 lead just before halftime when Haviland hit Cooper Jaro with a 22-yard scoring pass in what looked to be another Humboldt rout.
But the visitors crept back into the contest with two fourth-quarter scores, while a Cubs fumble with less than three minutes remaining gave the Rams new life.
Trailing by six, the Rams picked up a huge run from quarterback Bryce Johnson and faced third-and-7 from the Cubs 28-yard line with 1:30 left in the contest. Johnson dropped back for a pass but was taken down for a six-yard sack by Joseph Froggate, setting up fourth-and-13, which saw Jackson Aikins leap and bat the ball away to secure the win.
Thats what it takes sometimes, you can only do so much as a coach. Even on some of our big plays on offense, it wasnt exactly what we were looking for but Haviland came up with big plays, head coach Logan Wyrick said. Conor just does what he does. We had to go with him defensively in the second half, which we havent had to do much lately. But he goes in and gets his nose in on some of that, too.
It was all Haviland in the first half. The senior quarterback scored from 6-yards out and converted the 2-pt conversion to give Humboldt a 8-0 lead with 23.9 left in the first quarter.
He added a 67-yard touchdown run when the Cubs faced third-and-10 from its own 33 to make it 14-0 with 2:57 left in the first half.
After forcing a three-and-out, Haviland hooked up with Jaro for a quick score to make it 20-0.
The Rams (3-3) slowly but surely got themselves back in the contest after two turnovers set them up with good field position. The Cubs struggled tackling running back Ethan Shawver, who converted several third downs on long methodical drives.
Shawver put the rams on the board with a 1-yard score with 11:07 remaining in the contest. Johnson then found Will Shawver alone in the left corner of the end zone for the two-point conversion to make it 20-8.
Humboldt then went 3-and-out on its next possession, but a booming 65-yard punt from Haviland put Riverton back at its own 15-yard line.
The Rams went on a time consuming 13-play, 85-yard drive, capped off by a touchdown from Hunter Crowder on a misdirection play, to make it a 6-point game with 3:27 remaining.
It appeared as though Humboldt would run out the clock after Haviland broke a 13-yard run for a first down, but a fumble on the games ensuing play gave the Rams new life.
And thats when the Cubs defense stepped up and made plays down the stretch.
Senior Speed Hoepker led the Cubs with 15 tackles in the contest.
